Topical Caffeine May Provide Hair Growth Benefit for Alopecia: Study
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A systematic review of nine studies found topical caffeine may promote hair growth across non-scarring alopecia types.
Minimal side effects were reported, but researchers pointed to studies lacking standardized scalp marking for hair counts
Topical caffeine may be a promising adjunct treatment for hair loss, according to a systematic review published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. The analysis assessed original studies investigating caffeine’s effects on hair growth across multiple forms of non-scarring alopecia, including androgenetic alopecia (AGA), telogen effluvium (TE), and alopecia areata (AA).
The review included nine studies out of 587 screened citations: five randomized controlled trials, three prospective cohort studies, and one twin-twin cohort study. Most of the trials evaluated topical caffeine, with one studying oral intake. Across studies, topical caffeine demonstrated a positive effect on hair growth or reduction in hair loss, the researchers reported, with minimal adverse events. Methodological limitations were emphasized, however, particularly the absence of tattooed or marked scalp areas for standardized hair counts.
According to the paper, caffeine is hypothesized to provide hair-promoting effects by selective non-inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase and phosphodiesterases, increasing intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and stimulating metabolic activity in hair follicles. Clinical research on caffeine-based therapies remains limited compared to FDA-approved treatments such as topical minoxidil, oral finasteride, photobiomodulation, and JAK inhibitors.
“Caffeine appears to be a safe and promising potential treatment for hair loss,” the authors concluded. “Topical caffeine shows potential as a therapeutic option, though further large-scale randomized controlled trials with standardized outcome measures are needed.”
Sourtce: Ly N, et al. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2025;24(11):8902.